One program offers children the chance to practice reading out loud with the reading pup that the library has on loan for Tuesday afternoon.  Breton, is trained to listen patiently while his handler Lenore Everett sits nearby. Mattapoisett residents can sign up for a 15-minute session on on Nov. 27 or Dec. 11 from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Call the Children's Department to sign up at 508-758-4171.

 

The Mattapoisett Library is joining the entire community in celebrating the holidays on Saturday, Dec. 8. While the adults enjoy an Open House upstairs, children are invited to make two holiday crafts in the Children's Department beginning at 11 a.m. 

 

Children can also put their crafting and culinary skills to good use and make a candy lighthouse on Wednesday, Dec. 12th from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Children of all ages are welcome, though those under 5 years old should bring an adult to help them. Please sign up in the Children's Department. 

 

Children ages 4 to 8 are invited to "Inside the Pages of The Nutcracker" with music/dancer educator Kay Alden. The event offers a chance to  bring the characters off the page with music, dance, movement, and discussion. The date is Friday, December 14th from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Register in the Children's Room.

 

Children of all ages are invited to bring their grandparents to a special storytime on Wednesday, Dec. 19th at 10:30 a.m. During the event they can enjoy stories together and make holiday cards. Parents are welcome too.

 

If parents read just 4 books a week to their children, they will have read 1,000 books together in 5 years. The benefits from reading to babies, toddlers, and young children cannot be overstated. It helps encourage a lifelong love of reading and prepare them for school success.

 

Now the Mattapoisett Library has started a new 1,000 Books before Kindergarten program to incentivize parents to read to their children. Parents can register their children with the Children’s Department anytime before the end of Kindergarten to receive a free book bag, reading logs, and gift incentives for every 100 books read. Ask the library staff for more information about this new program.